Bromo & Ijen 2D1N — Midnight Pickup from Surabaya

About this tour

Leave Surabaya at midnight and watch the Bromo sunrise from Mount Penanjakan, then cross the Sea of Sand by 4WD Jeep to the crater rim. The next night you hike Ijen for a chance to see the rare blue fire and the world's most acidic crater lake, before we drop you at Ketapang harbour for the ferry to Bali. East Java's two signature volcanoes in two days, on a one-way route with no backtracking.

Full itinerary

Day 1

1. 00:00

   Pickup in Surabaya, drive to Cemorolawang

   Your driver collects you from your hotel or an agreed meeting point. About 3 hours to Cemorolawang village on the Bromo caldera rim — a good time to nap in the car.

2. 03:00

   Switch to a 4WD Jeep up to Mount Penanjakan

   At Cemorolawang you move into a private 4WD Jeep for the climb to Mount Penanjakan (2,770 m), one of the highest viewpoints in the area. Arriving early means a better spot.

3. 04:30

   Bromo sunrise with coffee and a local snack

   With a hot coffee or tea and a Tengger snack in hand, watch the sky change colour until Bromo, Batok and Semeru emerge. The view and colours depend on the weather on the day.

4. 06:00

   Cross the Sea of Sand by Jeep

   After sunrise the Jeep drops into the Sea of Sand — ask the driver to stop whenever you want photos. It parks near Luhur Poten temple, where you can have breakfast with the caldera as a backdrop.

5. 06:30

   Climb to the Bromo crater & savanna

   From the car park it is roughly a 45-minute walk to the smoking rim of Bromo. Horses can be hired if you prefer not to walk (own expense). Then on to the savanna (Teletubbies Hills). No rush — the driver waits for you.

6. 09:00

   Drive to Bondowoso

   Back at Cemorolawang you switch to the comfortable car again for the winding road over Arak-Arak hill to Bondowoso, with a lunch stop (own expense) and time to stretch your legs.

7. 15:00

   Hotel check-in & free time

   Arrive at your Bondowoso hotel. Turn in early — the Ijen hike starts in the small hours.

Day 2

1. 00:00

   Depart for Paltuding

   To catch the blue fire you leave around midnight. About 2 hours to Paltuding, the Ijen trailhead, where your local guide meets you with a gas mask.

2. 02:00

   Ijen crater hike · blue fire · sunrise

   At least an hour up to the rim, then down into the crater for a close look at the blue fire (for fit hikers only; it depends on weather and volcanic activity). As it gets light, take in the turquoise acid lake and the miners carrying up to ~80 kg of sulphur.

3. 07:00

   Back at Paltuding, coffee break

   After the descent, rest over coffee at Paltuding. Time permitting, stop at the sulphur processing plant in Licin village.

4. 09:00

   Coffee factory, waterfall, drop-off at Ketapang

   On the way, stop at a coffee factory and a waterfall. Arrive at Ketapang harbour around 12:00 for the ferry to Bali, landing around 15:00 Bali time (Bali is 1 hour ahead of Java).

Photos from this tour

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